Travel and Tourism
Dear Editor: Travel and tourism took a hard hit everywhere, and Alaska was no exception. In-state travel was the difference maker for many businesses in 2020. Alaskans traveling in their own backyards kept many places going through the leanest of months. The effects would have been much worse without you. In some of our communities, locals made up more than two-thirds of 2020 business, far higher than typical. If you hiked another trail, camped someplace different, hit the road headed in a new direction, or booked a getaway – even in your own town – thank you. It all made a difference.
There’s reason to believe that, nationally, travel will begin recovering soon. As more people are vaccinated, we could see more Americans ready to travel – and travel safely – this summer. But as you’ve no doubt seen, Alaska’s tourism businesses face a lot of challenges between now and recovery. As Alaskans working in tourism, we have our work cut out for us.
Our aim has always been to maximize the benefits – economic and beyond – of travel and tourism for our communities. We will continue to share Alaska with adventurers, and in doing so, support our communities, local businesses, and Alaskans who rely on travel to make a living.
We will do everything we can to get travelers here when the time is right, and there’s reason to think that gains over last year are possible. There’s pent-up desire to travel and high interest in Alaska specifically. Travelers want scenic beauty, open spaces, and parklands. We might even be able to snag some Americans who would typically head overseas, but are searching for incredible domestic options given the current uncertainties of international travel. Attracting them and convincing them to stay and explore longer is going to be more important than ever.
It’s going to take all of us. We need your help again.
Last year we asked you to show up for Alaska, to stay and play, and you did! Right now, you have a bigger and better opportunity to plan for the coming months.
If you are able to, plan and book the next adventure now. Go farther, take a longer trip, and try a new activity. In Alaska, there are many ways to go big. Twenty four national park units, 22 million acres of national forests, 3 million acres of state parks, and 33,904 miles of coastline – no way you’ve seen it all. This is the year to commit to the epic adventure you’ve had in mind and yet haven’t found time for.
We can help you find the best ways to enjoy your perfect spot and make your travel dreams a reality; it’s what we do, and it’s what Alaskans do for one another. If you aren’t sure how to make it happen, let us help you plan the trip of a lifetime.
Invite your friends and family up to share it all and take advantage of favorable airfares. We can help roll out the red carpet (and make certain they don’t spend too much time on your couch while they are here). If you’re stumped on where to send them, each of our organizations make it easier and can make it a reality this year.
If staying closer to home is your speed, we encourage you to buy local, visit your hometown tourism businesses and cultural attractions, support your favorite shops and restaurants (and test out some new ones too).
You deserve some rest and relaxation. Let us help you make the most of 2021, while you help out businesses across Alaska at the same time. You’ll be glad you did.
Laurie Booyse,
Director of Visit Sitka;
Sarah Leonard, President & CEO,
Alaska Travel Industry Association;
Julie Saupe, President & CEO, Visit Anchorage;
Patti Mackey, President & CEO, Ketchikan Visitors Bureau;
Liz Perry, President & CEO,
Travel Juneau;
Bonnie Quill, President & CEO,
Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau;
Deb Hickok, President & CEO, Explore Fairbanks;
Sharon M. Anderson,
Executive Director, Valdez
Convention and Visitors Bureau; Debbie Speakman,
Executive Director, Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council
Recall Effort
Dear Editor: I’m one of thousands of Alaskans across the state, of all parties and political persuasions, who are working to recall Gov. Dunleavy. We are currently in the second stage of the recall process, working to submit 71,253 signatures to the Division of Elections. This stage, which began in February 2020, was stalled by the pandemic because of safety concerns collecting signatures.
While the legal grounds for the recall are neglect of duties, lack of fitness, and incompetence, we each have our own personal reasons for supporting this recall: his use of states monies for a partisan political mailer, his vetoes of monies for our ferry system, his initial cover-up of the sexual harassment by former Attorney General Clarkson, his vetoes of Head Start monies, his attempts to drastically increase Pioneer Home rates ... the list goes on.
Since the start of 2021, there has been a resurgence of interest in the recall. Only 20,000 more signatures are needed, and in the last two weeks more than 10,000 Alaskans have requested sign-at-home petitions. For the convenience of Sitkans, we are offering a drive-thru signing opportunity this weekend, Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hames Center parking lot on the SJ Campus. Social distancing and masking will be followed. For those unable to come at that time, sign-at-home petitions are still available through www.recalldunleavy.org.
This Saturday we welcome any Alaskan voter who has not yet signed round two in the last year. It is also a perfect opportunity for newly registered young Alaskans to begin exercising their rights to participate in this important democratic process by coming and signing the recall petition. Let’s together get Gov. Dunleavy recalled.
Connie Kreiss, Sitka
Floatplane Facility
Dear Editor: Once again, the Sitka Assembly is going to spend your hard-earned tax dollars on a project Sitka does not need but is pushed by a very vocal special interest group.
They claim Sitka needs a huge multi-million-dollar facility for floatplanes and this facility will be self-supporting, bringing dollars to Sitka. If it is such a great business plan how many floatplane owners have put money down to reserve a plane tie-down spot on the proposed dock similar to what is required to register for a boat moorage?
A small boat harbor in that location on northeast Japonski Island is a much better idea and we have plenty of small boat owners who have already put their money down with the harbor department.
While it is true the old floatplane dock needs replacement, this multi-million-dollar facility located in the Sitka Channel is not the answer. It is time to get floatplanes out of Sitka Channel. Given the ever-increasing boat traffic and the John O’Connell bridge, it is just a matter of time until one or the other has an unpleasant encounter with a floatplane.
Beware, fisher people. It will be your moorage increase and fish taxes that will go to support this frivolous floatplane facility despite what the proponents say. Have you ever once seen an enterprise built by a government be self-supporting? If it was at all likely to be self-supporting there would usually be a couple of private businesses willing to do the project.
Write your Congress person and the FAA to halt this overbuilt project before any more money gets spent.
Bill Marx, Sitka
Seven Kind Sitkans
Dear Editor: Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, was a beautiful day. In lots of ways. Sunshine was one of them.
But I will remember that day especially for the kindness of seven Sitkans who stopped, rallied, combined a range of skills, equipment, knowledge – and a great big dose of kindness to get my hippiemobile running again.
“Just one more drive before the snow falls,” I thought. “I’ll go to my favorite parking pull-out overlooking Sugar Loaf and Silver Bay.” Happily, the trusty engine turned over after barely a hiccup.
Off I went, parked and relished good memories. Then I took a short walk to check a magnificent maze of roots of an ancient “beacon tree.”
When I returned the engine hiccuped weakly and died. What? Yes, I had forgotten to turn off the lights! What an embarrassment! I began the search for the jumper cables in the nooks and crannies. And couldn’t find them.
Then Craig, an electrician, and his wife stopped by. He didn’t happen to have jumper cables either, but he knew someone with a shop nearby who might. That was Tim. They left to check that out.
Along came three Sitka teachers: Jan, Peggy, and Jackie. They cheerfully began figuring out access to the battery hidden under the passenger seat. I stepped away at that point, and watched, awed by their teamwork.
Craig pulled up in his truck, attached the magic cables and with one quick zap my old hippiemobile came to life.
Jan had called Bob who was on his way with another set of cables by then. We gathered and congratulated the team on our shared success.
That was such a beautiful Sunday when friends and strangers rallied and validated a quality of thoughtfulness and cooperation, pooling ideas and experiences that contribute so much to what makes Sitka special. I am so grateful. What a privilege to live in this healthily diverse, historic town with wholesome genetic and cultural diversity. And such thoughtfulness and kindness.
Thank you! Gunalcheesh. Salamat. Gracias. Merci. Taku. Koyanna. Cheenan!
Nancy Yaw Davis, Sitka
